Searching for the vomeronasal organ of adult humans: Preliminary findings on location, structure, and size

Smith, Timothy D.; Siegel, Michael I.; Burrows, Annie M.; Mooney, Mark P.; Burdi, Alphonse R.; Fabrizio, Philip A.; Clemente, F. Richard

doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0029(19980615)41:6<483::aid-jemt4>3.0.co;2-o

Cited by 45 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Tissues were obtained from gross anatomy laboratories, research laboratories, Duke University Primate Center, and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The methods for removing the nasal septum from primate and human cadaver specimens have been previously described in detail (Smith et al, 1998(Smith et al, , 2001a. Briefly, specimens were preserved and stored in 10% formalin for at least 2 days prior to decalcification and histological processing.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative study of lectin reactivity in the vomeronasal organ of human and nonhuman primates

et al. 2005

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The main and accessory olfactory systems of certain mammals (e.g., rodents, ungulates, and carnivores) have been investigated using lectin histochemistry to probe for sugar residues that may reflect physiological aspects of signal transduction or development. Morphologically, the vomeronasal organs (VNOs) of strepsirrhine primates (lemurs and lorises) are typical of functional VNOs in other mammals, whereas in humans and chimpanzees the VNOs appear vestigial. However, the human VNO is considered functional by some authors. To elucidate the cellular nature of the VNO in human and chimpanzees, a panel of six lectins (Con-A, ECL, PNA, RCA, s-WGA, and UEA-1) was applied to the VNO in eight species of primates, including humans and chimpanzees. The results indicated that there were few, if any, lectin-reactive cells in the human or chimpanzee VNO that resembled those seen in the vomeronasal neuroepithelium in other primates. The overall pattern of lectin reactivity in the human and chimpanzee VNO is unlike that seen in mammals with chemosensory VNOs, suggesting that the VNO of these hominoids does not function similarly to that of other primates.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative study of lectin reactivity in the vomeronasal organ of human and nonhuman primates

et al. 2005

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“…However, the VNO was believed to degenerate in late fetal life so that only vestigial remnants could occasionally be found in adults. Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in the question of whether a functional VNO persists in the adult [7,8]. Although a bilateral, tubular epithelial structure exists in the adult human nasal septum, there are numerous histological differences from the typical VNO found in other mammalian species.…”

Section: Behavioural and Physiological Responses Mediated By The Vomementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although a bilateral, tubular epithelial structure exists in the adult human nasal septum, there are numerous histological differences from the typical VNO found in other mammalian species. The vomeronasal epithelium is relatively thin and is similar on lateral and medial surfaces, which are both covered in cilia typical of nonsensory respiratory epithelium [8]. Although there have been reports of finding bipolar cells with microvillar processes characteristic of vomeronasal receptor neurons (VRNs), no axons have been observed at their basal ends.…”

Section: Behavioural and Physiological Responses Mediated By The Vomementioning

confidence: 99%

The vomeronasal system

Brennan¹

2001

CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci.

118

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In addition to the main olfactory system, many vertebrates possess a vomeronasal system that conveys more specialized chemosensory information. Unlike the airborne, volatile stimuli detected by the main olfactory system, vomeronasal stimuli are typically proteins of the lipocalin family which bind small, volatile ligands. Despite the smaller number of vomeronasal receptor types, the projection patterns of the vomeronasal receptor neurons to multiple glomeruli in the accessory olfactory bulb appear to be more complicated than those of the main olfactory system. The vomeronasal system has a direct subneocortical projection to hypothalamic areas that mediates specific behavioural and hormonal responses to pheromonal stimuli. However, the integration and transmission of this information can be modulated by learning mechanisms. The aim of this article is to outline some of the functions of the vomeronasal system, and in particular to comment on recent advances in our understanding of how vomeronasal information is coded and processed.

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“…Smith TD y cols investigaron en el órgano vomeronasal del humano adulto definiendo su localización, estructura y tamaño 14 . Por otro lado, hallamos referencias sobre su función en trabajos de Anton C y cols 15 .…”

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